Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Kinya,

Hope all is well. David suggested I contact you.

I got a tuner app called Soundcorset and used it to compare the 4 blow on my three A harps. I tested each by closing my eyes and playing each harp 3 times in order to ensure a fair reading. Each was somewhat off. I’ve emailed screenshots of the three results to David as I can't seem to figure out how to post in this forum. If you can't get them from David, let me know where I can email thenm to you. continue reading...

Hiya Kinya,

So I was going to order a marineband 364 but my local shop tells me it's a 3 month wait minimum so I was sitting in front of my desk yesterday and it hit me; 3 months is longer than the wait I have for my custom harp I ordered from sugar cain so I'll just find a echo super vamper used on ebay that still has nice cover plates, get a custom comb and order a set of reed plates from a custom guy like sugar cain or something along those lines. continue reading...

Hi Kinya, I am gapping a kongshen "ting harp". I am am getting decent over blows and over draws except for over draw on hole 9 which , after the note engages, starts to warble as if it was hitting the slot but when I push the reed through the slot it passes with out hitting anything and I hear no clicking. Would this have something to do with reed shaping? It does not happen when Iplay the reed with the plates removed. thanks, Joshua Kuhl

Hi Kinya,

I bought a set of Hohner Special 20 harmonicas in December. I had first started lessons on my C harmonica and then switched to David Barrett's lessons about a month ago and switched to using my A harmonica.

When I draw on hole 4 and 1 together, they sound quite out of tune. The 'app', Harmonic Tuner tells me that:

1 draw = 250 Hz and 4 draw = 488 Hz.

When I check my other harmonicas (G, C, D and E), they all sound fine. (i.e. the 1 and 4 draw together sound harmonic)

What should I do?

Thanks!

Toby

Hello! 

I'm very new to harmonica and working on playing the the low notes. I've been primarily practicing on a Marine Band C but I also have a Marine Band A that I haven't used much. The one-hole draw on the C takes a relatively large effort to produce a sound, and, when it does, it sounds a bit muffled and flat. I don't think this is an issue with my playing as I can produce the same note on the A harmonica with no issues. What would you recommend?

Thanks in advance,

Benjamin

Hello Harp Techs,

After our recent forum discussion with Ivaan Ramos, regarding horrible tasting harmonicas, I taste-tested the countryside for a solution to this dilemma--and I’m happy to report (although 25 lbs heavier) I FOUND it!

continue reading...

Is it possibe to lubricate the slide on a chromatic?  If so what lubricant is recommended.

The problem I am having is that the slde does not come all the way out after I release it.

Thanks

Hi Kinya.

I have troubles bending 1 hole on G and A harps in reference to HarpNinja.

HarpNinja shows siginificantly sharp unbent notes, and I cannot bend them deep enough to hit the accurate frequency.

I have checked HarpNinja on piano, and it's dead accurate.

So I get myself a tuner, set A=442, and it shows:

"G" harp: 1blow = +2cent, 1draw=+10cent, 2blow=-10cent, 2draw=0cent, 3blow=+7cent

"A" harp: 1blow = +20cent, 1draw=+20cent, 2blow=-2cent, 2draw=+17cent, 3blow=+24cent

Some other harps (all "Special 20"), just for interest: continue reading...

Ok so I 'think' I might have a problem on hole 2 of my suzuki manji (A harp). Now I've only been playing since december 23 or something around there so I know my technique isn't perfect and before you recommend I go watch the video dubbed 'airy 2 hole draw' I'll just add I've already seen it ;P.

  continue reading...

hi!

i have a  suzuki mr350 promaster, about almost 2 years now

this harmonica now has a horrible metal taste

is so terrible that i can't play it!it is just unbeareble

since beagining therer was a small metal taste, but now it just impossible to play it

there is anything that i could do to remove the taste?

may it be dengerous for health?

thanks!